I'm not going to comment on Hindu beliefs more than that the belief in one worshipping the self and emptying the mind are not Christian beliefs. The stretching etc is of course, non-religious :)
I’m not going to comment on Hindu beliefs more than that the belief in one worshipping the self and emptying the mind are not Christian beliefs.
The Hindu scriptures - Vedas - never teach that one should empty the mind; they teach that such a goal is impossible. It’s Buddhism that teaches that. And the “self-worship” should be translated as “Self worship” which means God within our hearts, as the Soul of our souls; not that someone worships their own self.
There is a sub-branch of monism that practices ahangrahopasana (sp?) wherein they worship themselves, but it is a dead end and mistaken understanding. And does not in any way agree with the conclusion of the Bhagavad Gita, Puranas or other Hindu texts.
Like I said before, I have never attended any yoga class. But my wife who is a Christian likes to attend yoga classes when we are on a cruise ship. We cruise every year. Almost every large cruise offers yoga. I have strolled into the yoga classes to meet my wife there and all I saw was stretching exercises and meditation type of things. My wife says it is beneficial to her. She said there was no religious stuff in there. If yoga has survived 5000 years, ther must be something good in it. I won’t do yoga because I have no need for it. I keep myself in great shape walking 18 holes 4 times every week playing competitive golf. Golf originated in Scotland and could have Christian origins. I could’nt care less where it originated so long as I enjoy it and benefit from it.